The Parochial History of Cornwall, Volume 4 (of 4) — John Shaqi
The Parochial History of Cornwall, Volume 4 (of 4)
History
The Parochial History of Cornwall, Volume 4 (of 4)
Cornwall (England : County) -- History; Geology -- England -- Cornwall (County)
intersected the inner circle; but the southern part of this outermost
circle, when it comes within twenty or thirty feet of the inner, falls
into the segment of another circle, which runs parallel to the inner
circle, leaving a platform of about fifty feet breadth between the two
ditches, and surrounding about a third part of the inner circle. From
the gateway of the inner to the opposite point of the outward circle,
is about 144 paces, which may be about three fourths of the diameter.
The outer circle has a similar rampart, ditch, and breast-work with
the inner circle, and one gateway, which is not quite opposite that
of the former. These circles command very fine prospects both of land
and sea. Rame Head and the entrance into Plymouth are visible from
Berry Park. You can see these circles from Bindown Hill with the naked
eye; and from the elevation of that hill you look down on them so as
to see their areas.
In a field a short distance south-west of Pelynt church-town, and
about half a mile in a direct line from the said circles, are many
barrows. The field in which they are, is I believe, called the The
Five Barrows. At the bottom of this field is a highway, leading from
Pelynt Church-town to the Fowey road. In this highway, just at the
bottom of the said field, a few years since, a grave was discovered by
some men mending the highway. It was formed by four stones on their
edges, and a covering stone. In this kestvaen was an urn, with burnt
ashes in it; and round the urn were piled, in a regular manner, the
unburnt remains of human bones. I went to Pelynt purposely to see this
curiosity, but found the grave had been filled up, and its contents
buried. The urn was described to me by a man who saw it as having
ornaments of flowers and leaves on its outside, and that it fell into
sheards when touched. I could not learn that any coin or other thing
was found in the urn or grave; indeed, I fancy there was a lack of
curiosity in all concerned.
Part of the mound on West Looe Down has been from time to time dug
down, to obtain earth for building and plastering. I have several
times desired the labourers, in case of their finding any coin or
other thing curious, to preserve it; but have never heard of any thing
being found of late years. A celt (commonly called in this
neighbourhood a thunderbolt[2]) was some years ago found on this Down;
and it was given by the late Mr. Bawden, of Looe, to Mr. James, of
St. Kevern. I have a celt, made of a hard black stone, which was found
in pulling down an old house at East Looe a few years since; it is
between six and seven inches long, and very perfect. I lately saw some
like it in shape and stone, but not so large, in the British Museum.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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